Concerns over loss of senior health staff in cuts

The Health Services Union is concerned about the loss of experienced staff in the latest public sector job cuts (file).

The Health Services Union is concerned the State Government's plan to cut 1200 jobs will see the public health system lose its most senior and experienced staff.

The Government yesterday announced it is planning to sack 200 public sector workers and has raised its redundancy benefits to try to entice another 1000 to leave voluntarily.

The HSU is fearful senior staff who are close to retirement will now be more willing to accept voluntary redundancy.

The secretary of the HSU Dan Hill says it is opposed to any forced redundancies, especially in services outside of Perth.

"If health in country areas lose staff, then that has an impact on the local town and the local community so certainly country health sector workers should be exempt from any forced redundancies," he said.

He says the Government's decision will have a two-fold effect on public health services.

"We need those senior staff and their experience to really stay within the public sector health system because they're vital in delivering complex health services and supervising, mentoring and developing junior staff," he said.